Musical collective

The Wobbly Toms, performing tonight at The British Pub on Anastasia Island, aren't your ordinary band. In fact, they might even be considered a musical collective.

With an often-rotating cast of fun-loving minstrels, the St. Augustine-based group can arguably claim at least 73 members. There are currently seven full-time musicians that make up The Toms, but like everything else with the group, that number is flexible.

In fact, if you go see The Wobbly Toms on any given night, and you may well be asked to join the band.

"That's how we get members," said Andy Calvert, also known as "Wobbly Calvie," who sings and plays bass for the ensemble. "We've had people show up with instruments and ask to come up on stage. A lot of times, they're better musicians than we are. Of course, if they're no good, we unplug them."

Stylistically, the group is hard to pin down. One moment they're doing bluegrass, the next rock, the next folk, and so on. In fact, they even do a little of what they call "screamo-core."

And don't be surprised if they break into some traditional drinking songs or Irish sea shanties, either.

Essentially, The Toms are about fun.

"We don't take ourselves too seriously," Calvert said. "We just like to have a good time. And that's what our following expects. We want to see people out there, dancing, drinking and just enjoying themselves."

It all started at a house party in 2003. Calvert, who brews his own beer and mead, had put together a small band to play some music. But it didn't stay small for long.

The group got its name from a friend (named Tom, naturally) who had consumed just a little too much of Calvert's mead.

"It's pretty powerful stuff," he said. "And Tom was definitely wobbly after having a few. We just thought that would be a great name for a band, so here we are."

The Wobbly Toms

When: 9 p.m. to close Friday, July 13

Where: The British Pub, 213 Anastasia Blvd., over the temporary Bridge of Lions

Call: 810-5111

Each band member has taken a "Wobbly" name. The lineup for tonight's show will be as follows:

"And God knows what else," Calvert said.Dick Wobbly will take care of vocals and banjo, Wobbly Calvie will be on vocals and bass, Dred Wobbly will play acoustic guitar and mandolin, Wobbly Barbarita will do flute and vocals, Rico Unstablio will handle keyboards, "pots and pans" and vocals, and Wobbly Tony will tie it all together on the drums. Special guests will include Christmas Wobbly on acoustic guitar, harmonica and yelping, and Wobbly Tim on bagpipes. That's right, bagpipes.

For a taste of The Wobbly Toms, check out www.myspace.com/wobblytoms.

The British Pub, which is celebrating its 4th anniversary, is located at 213 Anastasia Blvd., just over the Bridge of Lions from downtown St. Augustine.